Reef Pi Build

Diamond1 · Dec 6, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
Which temperature probe did you end up using? I feel like its not the one shown on the 1st page of the thread here. Something about them always going bad real quick so you changed it to something else? Or am i wrong?

Also I was going to get the Raspberry Pi 3 B+.

I'm using a different one but it's the same kind. I got a lot of 5 off amazon and picked the one that was closest to correct temperature of my tank.

Imo you can't go wrong with a pi3 b+.

Dou you have a build thread?

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 6, 2018

Diamond1 said:
I'm using a different one but it's the same kind. I got a lot of 5 off amazon and picked the one that was closest to correct temperature of my tank.

Imo you can't go wrong with a pi3 b+.

Dou you have a build thread?

Not yet I am in the process of getting things put in carts and paid for. Once it all gets here I will start a thread because I will need a bit of help with the programming part. I am planning on doing the power controller, Temp and PH, ATO, Lights, and powerheads. For now at least. Going to start with the power controller and the temp portion and then add things as I get them built.

I have personal experience with building circuits and such. So once I get stuff built I will probably end up etching my own PCB's to make things a bit more compact. I got plans but the first step is getting the basics done.

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 6, 2018

Hey the proto shields do I want the ones with the EEprom or without?

Diamond1 · Dec 6, 2018

Either one has worked for me.

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 6, 2018

is there a benefit in using the ones with the eeprom?

Diamond1 · Dec 6, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
is there a benefit in using the ones with the eeprom?

Eeprom is a memery chip built into the pi hat that as far as i know is not used in reefpi.

ScottBrew · Dec 6, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
Which temperature probe did you end up using? I feel like its not the one shown on the 1st page of the thread here. Something about them always going bad real quick so you changed it to something else? Or am i wrong?

Also I was going to get the Raspberry Pi 3 B+.

I used the Aideepen brand temp probes from Amazon, All 5 worked and were pretty close on temp tolerance. I bought 5 more of a different brand (VKTech) because they had longer wires, 2 were DOA and the other 3 were reading 1.25*, 1.75* lower and .9* higher than what my tank temp is.

Ranjib · Dec 6, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
is there a benefit in using the ones with the eeprom?

Nope

crusso1993 · Dec 7, 2018

Nothing to do with your build, Greg, but I think you'll enjoy this as much as I do...

https://www.chonday.com/15454/the-writer-automaton/

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 7, 2018

So one not quick question for ya. Are you using a project box that fits everything? If so what size did you get?

If not. What size do you think would allow me to fit all module inside of with room to expand if needed? I was thinking a 12.6x9.5x2.3 inches would be sufficient or everything.

The power module is going to be in a separate box of course.

Diamond1 · Dec 7, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
So one not quick question for ya. Are you using a project box that fits everything? If so what size did you get?

If not. What size do you think would allow me to fit all module inside of with room to expand if needed? I was thinking a 12.6x9.5x2.3 inches would be sufficient or everything.

The power module is going to be in a separate box of course.

I'm using a cigar box that's 12x9.5 2.5 and i can fit 2 rpis with connectors in it so the one you're looking at will probably work.

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 7, 2018

Diamond1 said:
I'm using a cigar box that's 12x9.5 2.5 and i can fit 2 rpis with connectors in it so the one you're looking at will probably work.

Right on. Curious why you are using two pi’s. Could one not run everything?

Diamond1 · Dec 7, 2018

I'm using 1 dedicated to my lights. It was just easier than trying to figure out the circuits an cramming it all onto 1 pi. The second pi was originally going to be used for a dosing pump and ph monitor but I'm adding the dosing pumps to pi#1 instead.

b4tn · Dec 7, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
Right on. Curious why you are using two pi’s. Could one not run everything?

I am building everything into one enclosure because I am stubborn and want to see if I can get it to work. But word is the doser motors cause noise on the other PWM circuits. The way @Diamond1 is doing it is probably better in the long run having dedicated pi's per system. Especially when @Ranjib and crew get the ability to link multiple RPI's to one dashboard working.

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 7, 2018

Shouldn’t be to difficult to through in a filtering circuit or two to prevent that though.

Diamond1 · Dec 7, 2018

b4tn said:
I am building everything into one enclosure because I am stubborn and want to see if I can get it to work. But word is the doser motors cause noise on the other PWM circuits. The way @Diamond1 is doing it is probably better in the long run having dedicated pi's per system. Especially when @Ranjib and crew get the ability to link multiple RPI's to one dashboard working.

Yes I'm very excited to see what @Ranjib comes up with for clustering pis.

Jonathan Troutt · Dec 7, 2018

And benefit to using all gfci in the power strip part?

Diamond1 · Dec 7, 2018

Jonathan Troutt said:
And benefit to using all gfci in the power strip part?

No I actually scrapped that part of the build. If the power was turned off to the GFCI it tripped and needed to be manually reset so I just used the fused power switch.